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Whitmoor Common wildfire

Paul Rijbroek, chairman of the Whitmoor Common Association, thanked the fire brigade for its efforts in fighting the fire.

He said: "It is always sad to see a large part of our common on fire with the loss of animals and birds that could not get out of the way quick enough.

"All because of a carelessly discarded cigarette or piece of glass that could ignite the fire, together with a little breeze to kindle the flames. But nature will look after itself and next season fresh new heather and grasses will appear, and you would never have thought that anything had happened there.

"Thanks must be given to Surrey Fire and Rescue for their very prompt attendance to deal with the fire, and the continuing monitoring of the situation which could easily have gone out of control."

Burned fields on Whitmoor Common (Image: Surrey Search and Rescue)

Mr Rijbroek added that a small silver lining was that Surrey Wildlife Trust now had an opportunity to carry out a major scrub clearance while access to the common was easier.